“While we sometimes start in opposite corners, we work together to build consensus, and we do it in the best interest of our great county,” Rolison said. “Over the last year, we did just that. We faced tough challenges but were able to make great strides in our work to put Dutchess County back on the right track.”

Notably, Rolison said county lawmakers reduced spending and stopped growth in government.

Top priorities for 2014, a year in which he has called for “ongoing bold action” to create a healthy county, include addressing the chronic issue of jail overcrowding and putting pressure on state lawmakers to address another perennial problem, unfunded mandates, Rolison said.

The chairman took special note of one particular milestone: The leaderships of both the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the Legislature is all women, who hold the chair and vice-chair positions in each.

He also had particular praise for the working relationship with County Executive Marcus Molinaro, a fellow Republican.

In a statement released following the reorganizational meeting, Molinaro congratulated Rolison and the six new legislators elected last November.

“Now is the time for us to be united in our efforts to preserve the core county services and programs residents value without further adding to the tax burden,” said Molinaro, a former county and state legislator.

Rolison did take one shot, without naming names, at a small number of detractors.

“Some have, and will continue, to sit on the sidelines, sniping and criticizing for their own political gain, while offering no real solutions,” he said.

The chairman implored his fellow legislators to “get to work, make 2014 a great year for Dutchess County.”